AN ASSOCIATION which delivered service to more than 600 blind and visually impaired people during the pandemic was the only organisation in Northumberland to receive a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Northumberland County Blind Associations volunteers based throughout the county have been honoured with the award, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

The association works with 181 volunteers to deliver services to blind and visually impaired people is one of 241 charities, social enterprises, and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious award this year.

The number of nominations remains high year on year, showing that the voluntary sector is thriving and full of innovative ideas to make life better for those around them.

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities.

Northumberland County Blind Association will receive the award crystal and certificate from Her Grace, The Duchess of Northumberland, Lord-Lieutenant of Northumberland later this summer.

Julie Boyack, chief officer at the association, said: “We are so proud and delighted that our organisations work has been recognised, it’s a tribute to hard work and commitment of our volunteers.

“In addition to the award we will receive a special designation- a slightly modified crystal with the words ‘with special recognition - Covid 19’.

“The award recognises that we have provided impactful support to the community in response to the pandemic - by managing a significant increase in our usual work, which we did by setting up a telephone befriending service during the pandemic with 91 volunteers making telephone calls. At the height of the pandemic we contacted over 600 visually impaired people, to reduce isolation, loneliness and providing a lifeline to clients during unprecedented times.”

The association was one of only seven organisations across the North-East to receive a Queen’s Award. In County Durham, the Durham Association of Boys and Girls Clubs received it for providing sporting activities for young people, encouraging confidence and self-belief.

There were five recipients in Tyne and Wear, including Friends of Hebburn Cemetery volunteers who create a vibrant hub aimed at supporting the bereaved and providing wider community enjoyment.

The NECA Community Garden maintains the community garden to provide a safe and exciting learning environment, while Remembering the Past, Resourcing the Future captures, preserves and shares living memories, helping to promote social inclusion. South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade provides a 24 hour, 7 days a week, volunteer search and rescue service in support of HM Coastguard, and the Whitley Bay Street Pastors provide support to all they meet, especially the vulnerable.